Reflections on Epiphany

15 January 19920 Comments

This lecture offers deep spiritual meditations on the Feast of the Epiphany (Theophany), explaining baptism as a new birth of water and Spirit, a union with Christ in His death and resurrection. It explores the blessings of baptism—justification, sanctification, and divine sonship—then turns to John the Baptist as a model of repentance, ministry, humility, and holiness.

1. Meaning of the Epiphany and Baptism

The word Epiphany (in Arabic, “El-Ghattas”) means immersion in water, symbolizing being buried and risen with Christ.
Baptism is not sprinkling but full immersion, symbolizing death to the old man and new life in Christ.
As St. Paul said: “Buried with Him in baptism,” and coming out of the water means resurrection into newness of life.

2. Power and Blessings of Baptism

In baptism, all sins—original and actual—are forgiven.
One receives the renewal of the Holy Spirit and the washing of rebirth.
The baptized person “puts on Christ,” meaning holiness, righteousness, and new life; hence the white garments.
He is anointed with the holy chrism (Myron) and becomes a living temple of the Holy Spirit.

3. Renouncing Satan and Becoming God’s Child

During baptism, Satan is renounced as a sign of rejecting darkness and choosing Christ.
The mother proclaims this for her child, a covenant that must be remembered for life.
Through baptism, we become children of God and of the Church; one cannot be God’s child without being born from the womb of the Church.
Thus, we must reflect the holiness and righteousness of our Heavenly Father.

4. The Holiness of John the Baptist

John is the greatest born of women, as Christ said.
Filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb, he lived thirty years in the desert.
His ministry was brief yet fiery—calling for repentance and preparing the way for the Lord.
He was fearless in truth, rebuking kings and sinners, and died a martyr for righteousness.

5. The Humility of the True Servant

Despite his greatness, John declared: “He must increase, but I must decrease,” revealing the true heart of ministry.
He sought no personal glory but wanted Christ alone to be seen.
His life teaches that service should glorify God, not the self.

6. The Spiritual Call of the Feast

The Epiphany is a reminder of our new birth from God.
We must keep our baptismal purity and white garments—the symbol of holy life.
We are called to live like John: filled with the Spirit, humble, and zealous for souls.

Spiritual conclusion

The Feast of the Epiphany is the feast of repentance, renewal, and divine rebirth. It calls us to live as children of light, bearing Christ’s image within us. Baptism is not a past event but an ongoing covenant of holiness. John the Baptist’s example calls us to reveal Christ through repentance, humility, and purity.

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